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5 Big Rides Worthy of Your New Year’s Resolution List

 Make this a year to remember by knocking off one of these bucket list rides!

Published on 01.05.2018

Photo by Alfonse Palaima

The end of the year is typically a time to reflect and start thinking about ambitions for the future. Most people are setting goals like spending more time at the gym or cutting out a bad habit but our only aspiration for the new year is to ride MORE and knock new routes off our bucket list. With that in mind we assembled this list of epic New Year’s resolution rides. All of these ‘trail system’ rides include GPS navigable routes with well-documented information on fuel stops, lodging and camping options, so planning your trip is almost a non issue.

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So get out that calendar and start planning a year to remember! Keep in mind that there are seven days in every week and not one of them is “someday,” make this year the one you ride as much as you always wished you had.

1. Trans Canada Adventure Trail (TCAT)

Photo by GravelTravel.ca

The Trans Canada Adventure Trail is a 9,300-mile dual sport route from Newfoundland to British Columbia through some of North America’s most remote expanses. This ambitious ride avoids most major cities along the way, meaning services are sparse and self-sufficiency is key. While not a very technical route, the sheer length alone makes it a challenging and worthy adventure. Traversing the far-reaching landscapes from tundra to forests to prairies, the TCAT is a true ocean-to-ocean endeavor. With a time commitment of an estimated 10 weeks, don’t be afraid to bite off smaller chunks of this surely epic route!

2. Great Continental Divide Adventure Route (CDT)

Photo by Rob Dabney

The Great Continental Divide Adventure Route is a border-to-border journey that follows closely along the Continental Divide. This scenic trail stretches from the US/Mexico border in Antelope Wells, NM to the US/Canada border in Roosville, MT and covers 3,000 miles of magnificent adventure riding. The CDT passes through some of the most remote and scenic areas of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana utilizing dirt and gravel paths. This is more of a scenic ride but much like the TCAT the length of the trip can add a level of difficulty you might not expect. If you needed even more incentive, this route also has the advantage of traveling through Tetons, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

3. The Trans Euro Trail (TET)

Photo by Trans Euro Trail

The Trans European Trail is the definition of a bucket list ride, 21,000 miles of dirt through historic and iconic scenery that can’t be matched. This route touches 27 different European countries and thoroughly circumnavigates the continent. Riding from the Straits of Gibraltar to the Arctic Circle in Norway sounds like one hell of an adventure to us! The terrain is obviously varied throughout the thousands of miles but the track was created with small and medium displacement bikes in mind. Numerous accommodations and services are available along with alternative routes. If you were only able to do one overseas moto trip then this is the one!

4. Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR’s)

Photo by Backcountry Discovery Routes

The Backcountry Discovery Route organization has worked tirelessly to develop some of the most easily accessible adventure rides in the United States. These are “plug and play” routes with logistics like fuel and accommodations already sorted for you. The BDR’s are a great way to experience riding in areas that you are unfamiliar with, trusting that the terrain and scenery will be fantastic. A documentary film, detailed Butler map and free GPS tracks accompany each route. Finished BDRs include: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Mid Atlantic and Southern California.

5. The Trans America Trail (TAT)

Photo by Stephen Gregory

The Trans America Trail would not exist if not for the hard work of Sam Correro, he dedicated nearly 12 years and tens of thousands of miles of riding to assemble the core of this route. The TAT is one of the quintessential American adventure rides, incorporating North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Oregon (and that’s if you ignore any of the side treks!) This 5,000-mile odyssey takes you cross-country, on a tour of America that most people will never see.

“The Gear Dude” has been fueling his motorcycle addiction with adventure since first swinging his leg over a bike in 2010. Whether he’s exploring his own backyard in the Pacific Northwest or crisscrossing the United States, Spencer is always in search of scenic off-road routes, epic camping locations and the best gear possible. He began writing shortly after taking up two-wheel travel to share his experiences and offer insight with his extensive backpacking, camping and overland background.